Perform phlebotomy laboratory procedures related to the hospital and physician office laboratory and function as an entry-level phlebotomist.

Admission Information

Individuals applying for admission to the Gaston College Phlebotomy Program MUST meet all Gaston College admission requirements for GENERAL ADMISSION to the college. Admission to the general college does not guarantee admission to the Phlebotomy Program.

Admission Requirements to the Phlebotomy Program

Complete and submit a Gaston College Phlebotomy Program Application. Applications are accepted May - December 1st and can be requested through the Phlebotomy Office (704-922- 6377).

Applicants must have a minimum composite score of 55 on the TEAS V exam to be considered for admission to the Phlebotomy Program. NOTE: A minimum composite score of 16 on the ACT or a minimum composite score of 790 on the SAT can be accepted in place of the TEAS V score. TEAS/ACT/SAT scores must be current within five (5) years from the date of program admission. Applicants with an Associate or higher college degree will have the TEAS V examination waived with proof of graduation from an accredited college.

In order to enroll in PBT 100, students must be fully accepted into the Phlebotomy Program.

Competitive Admission Criteria

The Phlebotomy Certificate Program is limited to 18 students. While the TEAS/ACT/SAT score is the only required admission criterion, acceptance into the program is competitive and based on a point system with the top 18 admission scores being accepted into the program. Admission points can be earned from the following categories:

In the event of a tie, the TEAS V score with the highest math component will be accepted first. In the possible event of a tie for the math component, the English component will become the deciding factor. Applicants earning the highest admission points will be offered acceptance into the program.

Admission Status

Qualified applicants will be contacted for an admission interview by the Coordinator for Phlebotomy beginning September through the first week in December. Acceptance letters will be mailed to qualified applicants during the second week in December after the admission interview and verification of files being complete through Gaston College (TEAS/ACT/SAT scores, college placement test and transcripts). Individuals not accepted to the Phlebotomy Program must repeat the application process to be considered for admission to the next class. Students reapplying for admission must meet the admission requirements current at the time of their application.

Students Admitted to the Phlebotomy Program

Applicants accepted into the Phlebotomy Program must meet the following requirements in order to enroll and continue in phlebotomy courses:

Earn a minimum grade of "C" in ALL phlebotomy curriculum courses. In "PBT" prefix courses that have a lab component, students must receive a passing grade in both theory and classroom skills procedures in order to pass the course and progress in the program.

Submit by the specified date a satisfactory physical and emotional health examination documented on a "Gaston College Health and Human Services Division Student Medical Form" provided by the Phlebotomy Program.

Provide proof of immunizations by the specified date as required by the clinical agencies.

Must complete a 2-step PPD by the specified date as required by clinical agencies.

Submit criminal background check and urine drug screen by the specified date as required by the clinical agencies.

Hold a current certification in Adult CPR through the American Heart Association.

Participate in OSHA Safety Training and HIPAA Training.

NOTE: In order to comply with the current Student Affiliation Agreements, students accepted into the Phlebotomy Certificate Program will be requested to submit the Criminal Background Check and Drug Screen according to Gaston College procedures prior to placement in a clinical facility. Clinical facilities reserve the right to deny a student access to the facility. If a student is denied access to any clinical facility, the student will not be allowed to continue in the phlebotomy program. Completion of clinical experiences is required for the satisfactory completion of the phlebotomy program. More information will be provided upon acceptance into the program.

Clinical Practicum

The semester sequence for the program will consist of a ten (10) week concentrated classroom experience followed by a six (6) week practicum experience. In order to participate in the Practicum of the Phlebotomy Program, students must pass PBT 100. Upon successful completion of PBT 100, PBT 101 and PSY 150, the student will be awarded the Phlebotomy Technician Certificate.

The Practicum (PBT 101) will provide the student the opportunity to apply the skills learned in the classroom/laboratory phase to the work environment, under supervision. Students will be assigned to either an area hospital laboratory, an independent laboratory, a medical clinic, or a physician's office laboratory for an eight-hour (8-hour) shift, three (3) days a week for a total of twenty-four (24) hours a week clinical experience. Hours for the practicum will vary according to the facility to which you will be assigned and may be any of the following sets of hours:

NOTE: In order to participate in the Practicum of the Phlebotomy Program, students must be willing to work any of the practicum assignment hours listed. There is no guarantee of "preferred" hours.

Due to the limited number of practicum facilities, the student rotations through clinical facilities may be divided. The practicum rotation may consist of two (2) sections, based on need. If there are more students than practicum sites available at the end of the ten (10) week classroom experience, the group will be divided into two (2) sections as listed

Students assigned to Section A will complete their Phlebotomy Practicum immediately following the ten (10) week concentrated classroom experience.

Students assigned to Section B will complete their Phlebotomy Practicum six (6) weeks after the concentrated classroom experience, following Section A.

If all students can be placed in a practicum facility for the first rotation (immediately following the ten (10) week concentrated classroom experience), there will be only one Phlebotomy Practicum for that year.

Assignment to a Phlebotomy Practicum section is the sole decision of the Phlebotomy faculty.